Rockland County Slated For $250K Funding For Water Conservation Efforts in 2016 State Budget

Rockland’s water conservation efforts will get a boost in the 2016 New York State Budget, which awards the county $250,000 to continue its work.

“This funding will help us to perform tasks that our residents have made clear are important to them and to Rockland County’s future when it comes to insuring adequate and safe drinking water for generations to come,” County Executive Ed Day said.

“This award will allow us to continue with our efforts to significantly reduce water use in Rockland, ensuring that water demand does not exceed supply,” added County Legislator Harriet Cornell. “At the same time, it will enable us to educate our residents and business owners about our water – how precious it truly is and how important it is that we act as good stewards to protect it. Rockland is a model for the state.”

The Rockland County Task Force on Water Resources Management, which is chaired by Cornell and includes the County Executive and Legislative Chairman Alden Wolfe as members, submitted a request for the funding through Rockland’s state legislators and spearheaded by New York State Assemblywoman Ellen Jaffee.

Both the New York State Senate and Assembly back the measure.

“Water conservation is paramount in Rockland County if we wish to avoid costly new treatment plants that would also increase the cost of water itself for residents and businesses,” Assemblymember Ellen Jaffee said. “I congratulate the Water Task Force for having such a forward-thinking approach and focusing on meaningful conservation, so we can make sure we have the safe drinking water supply we need to thrive.”